Omani rejection of GCC union adds insult to injury for Saudi Arabia The Omani stance may force the kingdom to pause in its regional policies. Saudi Arabia
Tattooed in Tehran Iranian officials are actively trying to stem the appeal of tattooing, which is illegal but increasingly popular among youths. Iran
Arab-Israeli peace academy honors Mandela's legacy Sharon Stone, Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman, former Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Alaa and peace activist Uri Savir work together in the spirit of Nelson Mandela's legacy to promote a first-of-its-kind young leadership Arab-Israeli peace academy. Palestine
Is US letting down allies in Lebanon with Iran deal? There is a growing belief among traditional US allies in Lebanon that the recent Iranian nuclear deal will be at their expense. Saudi Arabia
Are jihadists coming to the West Bank? The recent deaths of three Palestinian men in Hebron has sparked a local debate on the presence of Salafist jihadism in the West Bank. Palestine
Iraqi government rejects plans for women’s shelters The Iraqi government has refused to back plans by civil society associations to open shelters for battered women, claiming that women would use them to leave their husbands, and this would threaten many Iraqi families. Iraq
Iran, P5+1 meet on implementing nuclear accord The Obama administration has warned congress that new Iran sanctions legislation could strain diplomacy. Originals
Netanyahu's diplomatic vacuum Israel's prime minister will need to get busy in the peace process or present an alternative plan of his own. Palestine
Will Russia play the Kurdish card? Russia’s connections to the region’s Kurdish communities present both opportunities and risks for Moscow’s interests in the Middle East. Syria
US, region pivot to confront terrorist threat in Syria Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari warns of a "Islamic emirate" in Syria, former US diplomat Ryan Crocker suggests a channel to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Israeli President Shimon Peres says he would be willing to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Bahrain
Turkish fighter jet: Rolls Royce ambitions with Rover resources? Turkey may seek to boost its defense industry with a program to build its own fighter jet. Turkey
Erdogan getting hit in AKP-'Cemaat' war Critical news of the AKP-Cemaat war leaked to the media on the eve of elections strains Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Bahrain's foreign minister asks Iran to end regional interference Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahrain's foreign minister, says Iran must take "concrete steps" to show that it is turning a page in its relations with Bahrain and the Gulf. Bahrain
Independence key to Iranian foreign policy Iran's demand for the "right to enrichment" is best understood in the context of Iran’s drive for independence, as outlined in the latest book by R.K. Ramazani. Iran
Turkish journalist charged with espionage The Turkish Prime Ministry, National Security Council and the National Intelligence Organization all filed criminal cases against the daily Taraf and its staff writer Mehmet Baransu for publishing a highly classified state document. Turkey
Syrian Kurds discuss differences over Geneva II At the core of Syrian Kurd differences is tension between Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Massoud Barzani and Kurdistan Workers Party leader Abdullah Ocalan. Iraq
